Author, speaker, and apologist Sean McDowell serves as associate professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Biola University. He recently posted a video that boldly addresses and refutes how many Christians have been taught to tithe.
“Despite what you may have heard your whole life,” argued McDowell, “the Bible doesn’t teach that Christians are supposed to tithe 10%.”
Sean McDowell Argues What the Bible Says (And Doesn’t Say) About Tithing
Through his writings and videos, McDowell hasn’t shied away from tough topics for Christians and non-Christians alike. He has explored topics including what the Bible says about slavery, navigating deep grief, and understanding atheism—and now a common misconception about tithing.
McDowell boldly began his video by saying, “The Bible doesn’t teach that Christians are supposed to tithe 10%.”
McDowell acknowledged that viewers might have heard the opposite for their entire lives.
“I know, I’ve heard it in church, too,” offered McDowell.
McDowell further explained that pastors often quote Malachi 3. Specifically in Malachi 3:8-10, God addresses the finances of his people:
Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How are we robbing you?” “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
McDowell explained that pastors offer this passage and then simply say, “We’re supposed to give 10%.” But in those days, tithes and offerings were given to pay for needs of the priests and religious leaders who served the people, McDowell said.
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